Write a commentMLA Megan Fearon has condemned the burning of election posters of herself and others on bonfires a hate crime while colleague Cathal Boylan has stated he is horrified by the mentality that could regard Ms Fearon as a figure worthy of hatred.
“When the Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998 Megan Fearon was seven years old. She is a positive, fresh face in politics and an inspiration to young women across the country. In a field dominated by men, Megan bucked the trend, taking her seat in the Assembly at just 21 years old and gaining a Ministerial position at just 24. Is that what they hate? That there is a young, strong woman out there saying to girls across the country, no matter what your background is you can do anything you put your mind to?"
Ms Fearon added “The burning of flags and posters of anyone who is not overtly unionist is clearly a hate crime. There are no two ways about it, it is an open display of, and incitement to, hatred,” she said.
“In no other civilized society would such naked sectarianism and racism be not only tolerated, but brazenly celebrated. I pity anyone who thinks such blanket hatred can be passed off as culture.
"There has been a deafening, but not unexpected, silence from the Orange Order and unionist parties on the numerous hate crimes that have taken place at bonfires in the past week."
